By Eric Klein
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The Department of Justice on Monday placed New York City on a list of municipalities it considers “anarchist jurisdictions,” a designation aimed at stripping the five boroughs of badly needed federal funds.
The other municipalities on the list, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington are – like New York – blue strongholds who’s political leaders have been attacked by President Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr, amid large street protests in all three cities opposing police violence.
“When state and local leaders impede their own law enforcement officers and agencies from doing their jobs, it endangers innocent citizens who deserve to be protected, including those who are trying to peacefully assemble and protest,” Barr said of the federal designation. “We cannot allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance. It is my hope that the cities identified by the Department of Justice today will reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens.”
The announcement comes weeks after Trump issued an order laying the groundwork for the “anarchist” designation.
The director of the Office of Management and Budget now has one month to issue new guidance for providing federal grants to the designated cities, which rely heavily on federal funds to operate.